DIY Face Shield (w/ Built in Safety Glasses)

Introduction: DIY Face Shield (w/ Built in Safety Glasses)

I've been wanting a face shield for all sorts of dangerous projects, but they're pretty expensive, and I can't seem to find one anyway.

I originally thought of buying a sheet of Plexiglass, melting it, and then bending, but I doubt that it will work, since it will probably crack, and will ruin the optics. Eventually, I think I'd probably drop it on the ground too, and it would break.

We recently installed a new fan in our house, so I thought I could make a face shield with the perforated metal wire mesh from the fan's safety cover, and I did!

Let's get started!

*Pssst! Don't forget to check out more info about the giveaway in the comments!

Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Safety Glasses!

After choosing the perforated metal wire mesh that I wanted, I searched through my collection of safety goggles/glasses until I found the one that I wanted.

The reason for why I chose my blue ones is because their size can be adjusted. These glasses came in a kit that I got, so I don't have a link for them. If you have one of these, it would be great if you posted a link to where you bought them in the comments.

Step 3: Mark & Cut the Outline of Your Face

I put my face on the mesh and put a mark where both of my ears were, and where my chin was. It doesn't have to be very accurate since you can always add or remove more material.

After that, I used tin snips to cut everything out. I recommend using gloves for this, because it's pretty ironic to get injured while making equipment that stops you from getting injured!

You can also bend the mesh according to your face, if you want.

Step 4: Cut Out the Hole for the Glasses

I marked and cut out the outline of my glasses. I did make a small mistake, but I can always go back and fill that in later...

I used wire cutters to cut it out.

Step 5: Secure the Mask to Your Safety Glasses

My preferred method of securing my glasses to the mask was with zip ties. They are strong enough, and can flex as needed.

I started by securing a 2mm Drill-Bit in my Drill's chuck, and then drilled 4 holes in the goggles. Two on the top, and two on the sides.

After that, I attached them with zip-ties, and used my wire cutters to cut off the excess.

Step 6: Remove Sharp Edges

I first used my wire cutters to remove any sharp needle-like parts, and then my mini bench grinder to deburr and round off the rest. Now the safety equipment is safe!

Step 7: Conclusion

I've built my own simple face shield! It might not be the best in the world, but I think that it suits my needs well enough. I might upgrade it in the future, but for now, it is great!

As a safety device, you've probably increased the potential for danger. Because the safety glasses are on the outside, if you had an impact which caused the mask to move those sharp points around the eye cut-out look like real hazards, waiting to scratch or, even worse, to end up embedded in an eyeball.

It would have been safer not to cut out the eye holes but to leave the mesh intact and look through it.

I thought about that, and also thought that someone would comment that.

I don't work with really dangerous tools like Table-saws, that can shoot things at insane speeds into my face, therefore I think it's good enough.

In the beginning, I didn't even think about attaching it with safety glasses. I thought I could attach it to my face like a cheap dust mask, but then I remembered that it doesn't protect my eyes that well from small parts, so I thought of attaching it. When I experimented with not cutting the mesh, I did see it, but kind of burry.

For short, if I see better, I'll make less mistakes. There's no point in making myself see less, and then protect myself against injuries that I can avoid...

Thanks for your comment. I'll go back and make sure that nothing like what you said will be possible :)

it doesn't block your sight it has special protective lenses that keep you from losing your eyesight. Welding masks also protect you from the intense heat and the sparks, also some protect you from the toxic fumes that are emitted from the rod

The one you made in step 4. Since it is on the inside of the glasses, any impact to the screen will be pushed against the face. The tips of the wires, even ground down and smoothed out, will press into your face uncomfortably. If you line the edge with a padding of some kind, it will reduce the felt impact.